Transport system utilizing fluid power

ABSTRACT

A system is disclosed wherein a platform is advanced by utilizing fluid flowing through a flexible tube. The platform, in general, is supported by the fluid pressure within the tube thereby causing a pinching action in the tube, and in turn a resulting force component is produced that is directed upward and forward. This force acts on the platform, propelling it forward. In the preferred embodiment the platform comprises a pair of wheeled trucks pivotably mounted and spaced apart in relationship for and aft on a body. The trucks each have a pair of rollers, and each roller rests on respective flexible tubes, spaced apart like railroad tracks. Suitable means are provided to keep the rollers on the tubes as the platform is propelled. In addition, means are provided to prevent excess lifting to the platform when the platform is light in weight, and means are provided to prevent complete pinching of the tubes by the rollers when the platform is overloaded. The respective platform bodies, when used as moving sidewalks, are made flat with the body of the front platform overlapping the body on the aft platform, and the two bodies are suitably pinned to allow the system to move around corners without interrupting the continuity of the sidewalk.

1 States Patent [191 [111 3,828,687 Aug. 13, 1974 TRANSPORT SYSTEM UTILIZING FLUID POWER [76] Inventor: Joseph E. McKeen, 10861 Elm Ave., Lynwood, Calif. 90262 [22] Filed: Nov. 13, 1972 [21] App]. No.: 306,074

3,687,083 8/1972 Brown 104/155 Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-D. W. Keen Attorney, Agent, or FirmDominick Nardelli [57] ABSTRACT A system is disclosed wherein a platform is advanced by utilizing fluid flowing through a flexible tube. The platform, in general, is supported by the fluid pressure within the tube thereby causing a pinching action in the tube, and in turn a resulting force component is produced that is directed upward and forward. This force acts on the platform, propelling it forward. In the preferred embodiment the platform comprises a pair of wheeled trucks pivotably mounted and spaced apart in relationship for and aft on a body. The trucks each have a pair of rollers, and each roller rests on re spective flexible tubes, spaced apart like railroad tracks. Suitable means are provided to keep the rollers on the tubes as the platform is propelled. In addition, means are provided to prevent excess lifting to the platform when the platform is light in weight, and means are provided to prevent complete pinching of the tubes by the rollers when the platform is overloaded. The respective platform bodies, when used as moving sidewalks, are made flat with the body of the front platform overlapping the body on the aft platform, and the two bodies are suitably pinned to allow the system to move around corners without interrupting the continuity of the sidewalk.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures TRANSPORT SYSTEM UTILIZING FLUID POWER Field of the Invention: This invention relates to transport systems and, more particularly, to transport systems powered with fluid flowing through tubes which are collapsible.

Background of the Invention: Transport systems of the continuous flow type such as moving sidewalks, are essentially composed of a flat belt rotating between two large diameter drums or pulleys. The belt is supported along its length by idler rollers placed at right angles to the direction of travel and are placed at relatively close intervals, which intervals are determined by the flexing characteristics of the belt. However, the belt, being flexible, still deflects to form a ripple that is uncomfortable to the rider. In order to reduce this ripple effect, the space between the rollers has to be decreased which, in turn, decreases the diameter of the rollers and consequently its beam strength, and also increases the number of rollers required. Therefore, cost and maintenance increases proportionately. In other words, the smoother ride results in a lighter pay load and increases the cost of operation.

In addition, the maximum length of the present moving sidewalk systemis limited by the allowed friction between the belt and the driving drums, as well as the web strength of the belt itself, since the driving force is transmitted through the belt and its cross-section must be strong enough to hold the driving force as well as being able to support the vertical load between the rollers. In turn, the driving drum bearings, too, must withstand this total load and the shafts for the drum must withstand the tortional force to overcome the forces in the belt. All in all, for these reasons, the overall length of the system is limited. Also the relatively large drum drive mechanism and allied machinery must be housed and hidden below floor level, making accessibility difficult. Therefore, these systems require costly modifications to an existing structure in installation and when they break down or need servicing, considerable down time has been experienced.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to apply motive force means in space increments along a right-of-way of a transport system so that the load-carrying members are independently energized as they move along the rightof-way.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for utilizing fluid flowing in a flexible tube for thrust and traction purposes for a load-carrying member moving along over the tube.

Another object of this invention is to provide a plurality of load-carrying members for the preceding object, wherein the load members are interconnected to form a continuous surface that can assume any required shape between two points.

Another object of this invention is to provide a transport system of the moving sidewalk type wherein the same load-carrying members can be utilized to carry objects from a first point to a second point, and back again to the first point.

These and other objects and features of advantage will become more apparent after studying the following description of the preferred embodiment, together with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the novel features of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a simplified embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a typical transverse section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows showing substantially the from half of a typical platform.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line 55 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows showing substantially the rear half of a typical platform.

FIG. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2 showing the system below the walking surface and a typical means for supplying pressurized fluid and receiving the expended fluid from one of the tubes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to FIG. 1 in particular, the novel invention is shown schematically. There is shown a flexible and collapsible hydraulic hose or tube 11 with one end connected to the discharge port of a suitable pump 12 and the other end connected to an intake port of the same pump. The hose ll lies for a given interval of its length upon the hard surface 13 that is shown flat. However the surface 13 could be inclined upwards and may even have portions that decline downwards if desired. On the portion of hose l1 resting on surface 13 are placed one or more platforms or cars 14. If more than one car is used, it can be coupled together by suitable means as in railroad cars. Each car 14 is shown with a flat-bed body 16 so that the bodies 16 are disposed to provide a substantially smooth surface that is desirable for moving sidewalks. Each body 16 is supported by rollers 17 and 18 one ahead of the other. For simplicity of explanation, one can visualize the hose 12 being much wider than its heighth especially in the portion resting on surface 13, and the rollers 17 and 18 have substantially the same width thereby providing a degree of stability to body 16. Each roller 17 and 18 is supported by suitable rigid trucks 19 suitably mounted to the underside of body 16. To cause the platform cars to move to the right, fluid is made to flow within the hose in the direction indicated by arrows 21 and 22. The rollers 17 and 18 since they are supporting weight, deflect the hose 1 1 immediately below the rollers as shown. The pressure of the fluid within the hose since it is flowing clockwise in the drawing produces a thrust on the rollers that is upward and tilted to the right. Therefore the rollers and, in turn, the cars are moving to the right. To obtain better control of the speed that the cars travel, the fluid is preferably an incompressible fluid or liquid. Therefore, the speed of the pump 12 would determine the speed of the cars. Since an incompressible fluid is preferably used, a surge tank 23 is placed in the intake portion of the hose 11 before the intake port of the pump 12. This feature allows the hose to deflect under the weight of the rollers when liquid is the fluid.

A more practical system is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. In FIG. 2 the system incorporating the invention is shown going around in a elongated oval. The cars 14 are shown disposed end to end forming a substantially continuous surface on which people may walk while the surface is moving in the direction shown by arrows 24 and 25. At both ends 26 and 27 suitable means (not shown) may be utilized to allow people access to and from the system. FIG. 2 shows one of the novel features of this system and that is the cars 14 are utilized for carrying people from end 26 to end 27 and also back from end 27 to end 26. Prior art systems would allow people to be carried in one direction and the belt returns without carrying a load. FIG. 3 shows a typical elevation sectional transverse of the system and more particularly through the transverse center of a typical car 14. The truck 19 is shown in greater detail and comprises a U-shaped frame 31 with a first pair of rollers 28 which may be substituted for either one of rollers 17 or 18. The rollers 18 lie on a pair of hoses 11 shown in the pinched position of FIG. 3. Another pair of rollers 32 are mounted on frame 31 over the rollers 28. The rollers 32 and 28 on one side ride within a channel-shaped section 33 while the rollers 32 and 28 on the other side ride within a similar channel-shaped section 34. Also one hose 11 is disposed on a flange 35 of section 33 and the other hose 11 is disposed on a flange 36 on section 34. The respective rollers 32 ride against the underside of the flanges 37 and 38. The purpose of sections 33 and 34 and a pair of rollers 32 is to prevent excessive uplift under light loads by the fluid pressure in the hose. Flanges 35 and 37 have lips 39 and 40 respectively and they extend toward each other while flanges 36 and 38 have similar lips 41 and 42 so that the cars will follow the track as defined on channel sections 33 and 34. These sections 33 and 34 curve with the oval pattern shown in FIG. 2. In order that the cars 14 may negotiate turns, each of the two frames 31 is independently pivotally mounted to the underside of one flat-bed body 16, for example by a pin 39. To prevent complete pitching of the hose 11 by the rollers 28, a caster assembly 43 having a suitable cylindrical caster 44 is mounted to the underside of the frame 31. The caster 44 rides along a hard surface 45. The whole system is placed within a suitable cavity so that the top of the flatbed body 16 is substantially even with the stationary walking surface 46. The pump to supply fluid pressure may be removed from the system and placed at a suitable accessible place, not shown.

To show how cars 14 negotiate curves while still providing a flat walking surface, FIG. 4 shows the front half of one of the cars 14 in elevation with portions broken away to show more detailed information, while FIG. shows the rear half of the same car 14 in elevation with portions broken away. The flatbed bodies 16 of the respective cars 14 lap one over the other and have their ends tapered as shown so that the top surface thereof are substantially alined or continuous. The body 16 of each front car 14 is suitably pin-connected to the body 16 of the following car by a pin 51.

In order to supply fluid to hose 11, both channel sections 33 and 34 are made substantially as shown in FIG. 6 where only section 34 is shown. The hose 11 passes through a hole 52 in flange 36 and out ofa hole 53 also in flange 36. To provide continuous motion for the car across this section, a bar 54 of suitable thickness is preferably placed between a hose to allow rollers 17 and 18 as they come off the hose to ride on a bar and back on to the hose 11. As mentioned above, a liquid is preferred as the fluid since it is incompressible and speeds can be regulated by the discharge rate of the pump.

Although one embodiment of the invention is shown, the invention is not to be considered limited thereto as one skilled in the art could, after studying the disclosure, develop other embodiments incorporating the novel features of this invention. Therefore my invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

I claim: 1. A transport system comprising: a flexible hose, a fixed surface on which said hose rests, a pump for pumping liquid and having an intake and a discharge through which liquid enters and exits said pump, means for connecting the discharge from said pump to one end of said hose, means including a surge tank for connecting the intake of said pump to the other end of said hose, and

a plurality of cars disposed on said hose and each having sufficient weight bearing thereon to cause a pinching action in said hose so that the pressure of any liquid flowing through said hose moves each cart along the length of said hose.

2. A system of claim 1 wherein said car includes at least one roller bearing against said hose.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein means are provided to prevent said car from rising above a fixed height by the fluid pressure in said hose even when said cars are relatively lightly loaded.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said car includes at least one caster that bears against said surface when said cars are loaded above a given value to prevent complete pinching of said hose.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein:

a plurality of cars are provided;

means are provided to couple one car in front of the others to form an endless loop, and

means are provided for said rollers to roll on and off the hose at a predetermined place.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein each of said cars has a flatbed body and are so coupled that the upper surface of said body is substantially continuous.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said fluid is a liquid and a surge tank is provided at the discharge end of said hose.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

another hose substantially similar to said first mentioned hose is provided disposed on said surface and spaced an equal distance from said first hose,

said means for flowing fluid flows a liquid through each hose so that the velocities of the fluid in each hose are substantially equal.

said car has a body and at least two pairs of rollers mounted on trucks disposed on the underside of said body and said trucks are disposed to pivot therewith on substantially vertically disposed axes and the axis for one truck is disposed in front of the other truck, one roller on each truck bearing on one hose and the other roller on each truck bearing on the other hose,

another roller is fixed to the underside of said car and fixed to bear against said surface when said car is loaded above a given value to prevent complete pinching of said hoses, and

means are provided to prevent said car from rising above a fixed height when said cars are relatively lightly loaded.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein means are provided vided for coupling said cars one in front of the to prevent said rollers from moving laterally off said other, and hose and to cause said rollers to follow said hose said bodies have a substantially flat upper surfaces around turns. with said upper surfaces forming a substantially l0. The system of claim 9 wherein: 5 continuous surface. a plurality of cars are provided and means are pro- 

1. A transport system comprising: a flexible hose, a fixed surface on which said hose rests, a pump for pumping liquid and having an intake and a discharge through which liquid enters and exits said pump, means for connecting the discharge from said pump to one end of said hose, means including a surge tank for connecting the intake of said pump to the other end of said hose, and a plurality of cars disposed on said hose and each having sufficient weight bearing thereon to cause a pinching action in said hose so that the pressure of any liquid flowing through said hose moves each cart along the length of said hose.
 2. A system of claim 1 wherein said car includes at least one roller bearing against said hose.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein means are provided to prevent said car from rising above a fixed height by the fluid pressure in said hose even when said cars are relatively lightly loaded.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein said car includes at least one caster that bears against said surface when said cars are loaded above a given value to prevent complete pinching of said hose.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein: a plurality of cars are provided; means are provided to couple one car in front of the others to form an endless loop, and means are provided for said rollers to roll on and off the hose at a predetermined place.
 6. The system of claim 5 wherein each of said cars has a flatbed body and are so coupled that the upper surface of said body is substantially continuous.
 7. The system of claim 6 wherein said fluid is a liquid and a surge tank is provided at the discharge end of said hose.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein: another hose substantially similar to said first mentioned hose is provided disposed on said surface and spaced an equal distance from said first hose, said means for flowing fluid flows a liquid through each hose so that the velocities of the fluid in each hose are substantially equal. said car has a body and at least two pairs of rollers mounted on trucks disposed on the underside of said body and said trucks are disposed to pivot therewith on substantially vertically disposed axes and the axis for one truck is disposed in front of the other truck, one roller on each truck bearing on one hose and the other roller on each truck bearing on the other hose, another roller is fixed to the underside of said car and fixed to bear against said surface when said car is loaded above a given value to prevent complete pinching of said hoses, and means are provided to prevent said car from rising above a fixed height when said cars are relatively lightly loaded.
 9. The system of claim 8 wherein means are provided to prevent said rollers from moving laterally off said hose and to cause said rollers to follow said hose around turns.
 10. The system of claim 9 wherein: a plurality of cars are provided and means are provided for coupling said cars one in front of the other, and said bodies have a substantially flat upper surfaces with said upper surfaces forming a substantially continuous surface. 